Thursday, February 7, 2013

Preparing Your House For Sale - Part 2


With the spring selling season upon us, I wanted to give you some insight on how to get your house sold faster.  Whether you’ve already listed your house with a realtor, or are thinking about it, it’s never too late to make improvements.

First Impressions
Believe it or not, the front yard speaks volumes about your house. By sprucing up the front yard it can help bring out the best that your house has to offer. Many times I have seen buyers get turned off to a house before they even get inside. Buyers are fickle and funny; many do not have the ability to visualize how things can look. So it’s important to help them see your house at its best.

Main Entry: This is the gateway to your house. Make sure to take extra care to present this area in the best possible fashion.  If the front door needs replacing, replace it, if it needs painting, paint it.

Paint: A fresh coat of paint can go a long way and breathe new life into your house. Don’t go overboard. If your house has siding, have it power washed.

Yard: Cut the grass and trim the bushes. Weed the flower beds and plant some fresh colorful flowers.

Driveway & Garage:  Clean the driveway and garage. Remove oil stains. These can be removed using kitty litter and a stiff broom. If you like, you can purchase commercial products, but most contain kitty litter as their base.

Make sure the garage door opens easily and smoothly. Some WD-40 on the track and wheels works great.
Put the kid’s toys away and keep the front walk clear of clutter and tripping hazards. If there’s no room for your kid’s toys, the buyer will think there isn’t any room for their kid’s toys either.

Air Conditioner: Make sure the unit is free and clear of any rust. Repaint or replace the housing unit as needed.

Patio: This area should be free from debris and clutter. A nice patio set can make the yard more appealing. There is no need to buy one, just clean up and repaint the existing set as needed.

Swimming Pool: Keep it clean and inviting if the pool is open for seasonal use. If its still closed for the winter, keep the cover clear of leaves and dirt.

Next time we will discuss some areas inside the house that can be tended to with little cosrt and some elbow grease.

If you have any questions, or would like a no cost no obligation market valuation, please feel free to contact me.